Field of Broken Dreams

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 9: The End

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • December 11, 2023

In the series finale, the city council's votes on rebuilding Ryan Field and rezoning the area to allow six concerts per year loom large after a struggle between the university, its supporters and opponents of the changes to the stadium.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 8: The Reaction

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • November 20, 2023

As the fate of Ryan Field hangs in the balance, the dividing lines between those for the new stadium and those against have never been more clear.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 7: The Events

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • November 17, 2023

Most stadiums sit vacant more often than not. As Northwestern plans to find ways to put Ryan Field to use more frequently, opponents of additional events see plenty of issues with the proposal.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 6: The Alcohol

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • November 10, 2023

Until 1972, Evanston was a dry town. Over 50 years later, as Northwestern has attempted to start selling alcohol at sporting events to help its bottom line, there is still a vocal set of Evanstonians who want Northwestern sporting events to stay dry.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 5: The Money

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • November 3, 2023

Money is king, and nothing brings the king to town like football. Northwestern is betting that a new stadium might make those visits more valuable, and many Evanston business owners agree.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 4: The Stadium

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • October 27, 2023

In many ways, a stadium is a reflection of the team that plays on its field. And in the case of Northwestern and Ryan Field, that reflection currently isn't the most flattering.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 3: The City

Mack Jones, Host of the Field of Broken Dreams • October 20, 2023

There are many spaces across Evanston that have been fertile soil for debates between the city and Northwestern, but some would say there's been no greater example of the city existing at the university's whims than Ryan Field.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 2: The Team

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • October 10, 2023

In 1995, right around the last time the idea of improving Ryan Field came up in discussions around Northwestern and Evanston, that year's version of Wildcat football captured the heart of the town on its way to the grand-daddy of them all - the Rose Bowl.

The Field of Broken Dreams | Episode 1: The Beginning

Mack Jones, Host of The Field of Broken Dreams • October 6, 2023

On Sept. 28, 2022, Northwestern announced plans to renovate Ryan Field. Since those plans were announced, host of the Field of Broken Dreams Mack Jones has been reporting on what he thought would be a similar story about a college field renovation that has turned out to be anything but.